Conservation Ecology

Catalog description

Conservation ecology focuses on human-environment interactions, including both how humans affect ecosystems and how environmental conditions affect human well-being. Through a series of case studies, students explore ecological concepts at the population, community, and ecosystem levels. Laboratory exercises emphasize fieldwork in local natural areas. Students deepen their knowledge of nature and engage in citizen science. Students make natural history observations and share them online; collect and analyze data to compare the health of local ecosystems; and work to enhance natural areas. They develop skills in inquiry and research methods, and also learn to identify many locally common trees, wildflowers, insects, and birds.